Kaneland High School closed due to vandalized buses

1 tire on each of 40 vehicles deflated, officials say

January 26, 2008|By Denise Linke, Special to the Tribune

Kaneland High School was closed Friday because School District 302's buses were vandalized.

Bus drivers found that someone had deflated one tire on each of the district's 40 buses when they arrived for work. Each tire takes at least 20 minutes to pump up, said Assistant Supt. Tom Runty. "It just takes so long to get them back up to pressure that we couldn't get the buses running in time to run the routes. And in this weather, some of the tires will be ruined because when it's this cold out the rubber will fold over and crack," he said.

Officials plan to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals. They already have two leads they are following. The Kane County Sheriff's Department also is investigating the incidents.

Students must spend an extra day in school this summer to make up for the lost day, Runty said.